Bangkok struggles to find solution to air pollution
Bangkok has been choking on bad air pollution for most of the month on Janurary - as it did in the years before. So what's being done to solve this problem?
(Originally aired on Friday, Jan 25, 2019)
Pheu Thai Party calls for free and fair March 24 elections
Thailand’s political parties are gearing up for the election on March 24. The date was finally announced after weeks of speculation and fears over yet another delay. It will be first democratic elections in Thailand since 2011 and the first since the military coup of 2014.
Thailand (finally) goes to the polls on March 24, 2019
JUST IN: Thailand's democratic elections will be held on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Here're all the latest details just moments ago on Channel NewsAsia.
Thailand signs MOU to end detention of children refugees
The Thai government has signed an MOU to end the detention of children refugees. This follows the high-profile case of Saudi aslyum seeker Rahaf Al-Qunun, who is now resettled in Canada.
Thai pro-elections activists hold forth rally
Pro-election protesters continue to call the military government to confirm a date for the country’s democratic elections, as a surprise counter protest turned out to be not much.
Thai pro-election rally to move as Dep-PM wants poll date to move to March 24
We still don't know when elections will exactly take place, but Deputy PM Wissanu sees March 24 as a "suitable" postponed date. Meanwhile, the pro-election activists - which wants to hold another rally on Saturday - are facing some surprising opposition.
Thai immigration chief promises more tolerant refugee policy after Saudi case
Thailand's immigration chief vowed at a talk at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand not to force refugees to return home "involuntarily", after a Saudi woman's desperate plea for resettlement drew global attention to a country that does not recognize asylum seekers.
Bangkok air pollution can cause economic losses
The ongoing air pollution problem in Bangkok can cause billions of Baht in losses, according to an analysis by Kasikorn Research Center. One sector that can be affected is tourism.
Thai authorities want to make it rain to combat Bangkok's air pollution
Bangkok continues to choke on air pollution, as the authorities are looking to the skies for a solution.
Thailand stops plan to expel Saudi woman fleeing family, grants UNHCR access
Thailand halted plans on Monday to expel an 18-year-old Saudi woman fleeing her family after she barricaded herself inside Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport hotel to prevent immigration officials putting her on a flight to Kuwait. They have also granted the UNHCR access to her.
Saudi woman held at Bangkok airport 'fears death' if sent back
A Saudi woman is fighting against her deportation from Bangkok's airport back to her family in Kuwait, where she claims to be "killed" if she returns. She was trying to head to Australia via a connecting flight in Bangkok, but her travel document was seized by Saudi and Kuwaiti officials upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, according to tweets from her.
Thai Islamic Council bans child marriage under 17
A new regulation from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand (Cicot) bans children under the age of 17 from marriage. The move after public outcry over the controversial marriage in June of an 11-year-old Thai girl to a 41-year-old Malaysian man earlier this year. Meanwhile in Indonesia, there's push for a wide legislative change on the same issue.
Thai military government lifts political restrictions before 2019 elections
Thailand's military government has lifted restrictions on political activities, effectively allowing parties to start campaigning in the run-up to the elections early next year. But when exactly again? I explain all the details.
Fight to end global hunger wide off mark
In Bangkok, an international conference is seeking ways to accelerate the ambitious goal to end hunger worldwide by 2030, one of the Sustainable Developments Goal by the United Nations. But with only 12 years to go, the efforts are wide off mark.
(Originally aired on November 28, 2018)
Election Commission still does not set exact date for polls
Thailand's Election Commission is meeting with political parties today, to brief them about details of the long-awaited election in February. So the countdown is on for the country's first election since the 2014 military takeover. And many political parties are expected to raise the issue of their lack of preparedness for the election. That's because the comission has not announced new electoral boundaries among other problems.
Thai Q3 GDP 2018 stalls, misses target
Thailand's economic growth has stalled for the Q3 of 2018 at only 3.3%, the worst rate since 2014. Here I explain why.
Palang Pracharath Party welcomes new members
Thailand’s political parties continue their preparations for the first democratic elections since the military coup of 2014. This Sunday, it’s the newly-founded Palang Pracharath Party’s turn to hold its meeting - and while there are no leadership votes to be held today, there was some anticipation about who will sign up for the party widely believed to be to vehicle for the current military government.
Thailand prepares to take over ASEAN chairmanship despite upcoming elections
Thailand will take over the ASEAN chairmanship from Singapore. But some obsevers are concerned that the upcoming elections next year could distract the current military government to give the regional bloc its full attention.
Abhisit Vejjajiva re-elected Democrat Party leader
Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been re-elected the leader of the Democrat Party, winning a three-way leadership battle. Now the focus is on the elections scheduled early next year.
Democrat Party to choose new leader
Thailand's longest surviving political party, the Democrat Party, Thailand, is choosing a new leader this weekend. The incumbent Abhisit Vejjajiva is facing off against Warong Dechgitvigrom and Alongkorn Ponlaboot. The choice of a new leader could change the direction of the party.